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Monday, February 2, 2026
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The FinePrint

Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi—The story of Punjab’s bloody kabaddi

Punjab once projected kabaddi on the global stage. It was invested in World Cups and professional leagues. Today, players speak less about medals and worry more for their lives.

India’s ‘mother of all deals’ with Europe comes with a troublesome cousin—Turkey

Established in 1968, the EU Customs Union is a foundational pillar of European economic integration. With Turkey in the mix, India’s biggest deal with the EU suddenly looks more complicated.

A Padma Shri & a visit by PM Modi: What’s behind BJP’s Dera Ballan outreach in Punjab

The visit is seen as a targeted strategy by the BJP to woo Dalit voters, particularly the Ravidasias and Ad-Dharmis, who often play a key role in close electoral battles in Punjab.

Borrowing to survive: Indian households are saving more, why are they still in debt?

RBI data shows personal loans tripled in six years, with rising slippages; real wages halved as middle class uses loans to maintain lifestyle fuelled by social media.

Ajit Pawar’s death is another ‘what if’ moment in Indian politics

From Deen Dayal Upadhyay's mysterious death and Madhavrao Scindia's plane crash to the Gandhi family assassinations, so much of what happens in politics has little to do with calculations and much more to do with fate.

Some OBCs were ‘dominant’ in medieval India. How history can decode the UGC controversy

Temples, military labour markets, and land-grant regimes structured medieval caste hierarchies. Today, access to education, employment, bureaucratic categories, and media platforms do.

Clock ticking: With Ajit Pawar gone, what lies ahead for NCP

Minus Ajit Pawar, NCP has to devise survival strategy. Should it merge with Sharad Pawar faction? Analysts say second rung leaders like Praful and Tatkare don't have what it takes to lead party.

Indian video games finally bring mythology into storyline. Taking it to AAA level

Indian developers are quitting their jobs at established studios like EA and Tencent, and even consulting roles at EY, to be a part of the independent gaming revolution.

Ajit Pawar: Brash, tireless, ambitious, the ‘Dada’ from Baramati

A look at the life, controversies & unfulfilled ambitions of Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar who died Wednesday when his chartered plane crashed in Baramati.

How Skill India lost its way by creating a parallel NGO universe of frauds

Skill India lost its way—Fake fingerprints, posed pics, ghost centres. CAG report a wake-up call.

On Camera

From populism to productivity—why the Budget 2026 makes a structural turn

The Budget proposals seek to balance sustained high economic growth with fiscal discipline and structural transformation.

Sitharaman proposes a new National Institute of Design in eastern India. ‘A good push’

The Indian fashion design industry had a market value of approximately ₹15.1 lakh crore in 2023 and is expected to reach around Rs 45.3 lakh crore by 2032.

10X Budget beef-up for Intelligence Bureau capex, after Pahalgam & Red Fort terror attacks

After lapses exposed by terror attacks at Pahalgam and Delhi's Red Fort, Centre has hiked Intelligence Bureau's expenditure for investments in long-term assets from Rs 257 cr to Rs 2,549 cr. 

Swiss report should now close Op Sindoor debate. Knowing when to stop the fight is key too

The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.